Team Review: AS Roma in the 2013-14 Season

Roma’s Serie A campaign for the 2013-14 season was highly impressive but at the same time, quite frustrating. The side almost held the championship had they managed to capitalize more on their attack and personal discipline. They were the table leaders in the tournament’s fourth through 12th weeks but they have since been stuck in the second spot following Juventus’ aggressive approach to defend their title. Nevertheless, Giallorossi improved so much compared to their performance in the previous season when they only finished sixth and were thus denied of a berth in the UEFA competitions.

Roma signed 17 new players to play for the squad last season. The most notable of the transfers were Kevin Strootman, Mehdi Benatia, Adem Ljajic, and Gervinho who were bought for €17 million, €13.5 million, €11 million, and €8 million, respectively. Other notable acquisitions were Mattia Destro, Tin Jedvaj, Antonio Sanabria, and Valerio Verre. Meanwhile, 14 squad members left Stadio Olimpico to play for other teams, the most notable of them was Marquinhos who was bought by PSG for a sum amounting to €35 million. Erik Lamela also signed a contract with Tottenham Hotspur for a reported fee of €30 million.

Rudi Garcia’s men spent their first 17 league weeks undefeated, winning gloriously against such sides as Bologna, Inter, and Catania, to name a few. They also held several other clubs—such as Cagliari and Atalanta—in draw to deny their rivals from earning all the spoils. They incurred their first defeat on their first fixture for 2014, when they conceded three goals to online betting frontrunners, Juventus. This, however, was followed by seven non-losing matches before surrendering again the three points on March 9, this time against Napoli 1-0. Roma’s last three meetings for the season were not acceptable either, as they succumbed to Rossazzurri, Vecchia Signora, and Rossoblu.

Although Roma finished as runners up by the season finale, none of their players emerged as among the 10 top scorers in the tournament. Destro was the club’s best player, who scored 13 goals in 20 appearances. He could have netted more if not for injury and suspension issues.